IT Infrastructure...does it really matter anymore

The other day, a co-worker and I got into a debate around the importance of "infrastructure" [you know all the "stuff" that make technology work - networks, servers, operation systems, firewalls, etc.] to most users of technology.

Now first of all, we all use technology in one way or another - the cable TV box that brings our entertainment to us is a high tech gadget and so is your mobile phone - but really, how much do we really think about it any more. I would say that most users don't give it a second thought - just like "thinking" about electricity or running water - it's just there and it works.

But that wasn't the case just a few years ago - to get computers and networks to work - someone had to think about it. And we as users were reminded about how difficult it was to keep all this "infrastructure" running smoothly.

But not today - it has become a utility just like electricity and water - it comes into our homes and businesses, we use it when we need it and don't really think about. In fact, we expect it to work and we are very upset when it doesn't. We expect our phone to be able to read email [from any email account we have]; we expect our printers to print out photos; we expect our newly shot videos to be easily uploaded to the internet; we expect to be able to pay our bills over the web; we expect all these things and don't give a hoot about the infrastructure used to get it done.

So the debate was - does infrastructure matter? And the answer is dependent upon which side you're sitting on - if you're a user the answer is no and if you'rr a provider the answer is yes.

So how important is infrastructure to you?

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Everything Evolves

I was thinking today about how the industry that I have chosen for a career [High Tech] has evolved since I moved to Denver and started working for a small software company called JD Edwards and Company [that become a big company and was gobbled up by Oracle].

I started working before the internet was something that could be used by normal people - and the concept of things like personal computers, mobile phones, DVDs, game consoles and just about everything we take for granted within tech today was broadly used [or even invented]. And I don't think I'm really that old - my kids stretch from elementary to high school - and I still have potentially a couple decades left in my professional career.

And now, within the IT Services world - it's all about Cloud Computing and "as a Service" service offerings. I read something today about how Outsourcing will be gone in 5 years and everything will be provided with a subscription model. That might happen, it might not - there are people that have 10 year old computers, use Lotus 123, and don't own mobile phones. Mainframes have not died yet and big Nortel phone switches still rule out there in corporate America.

Predictions are just opinions. No one has a crystal ball - the future is very hazy. And for every right prediction, there are hundreds that are wrong. But here's my prediction - tomorrow will be different from today - and next year will be dramatically different from last year.

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Springwise | This week's most convenient new business ideas

Top ideas from around the world - available in very small bit-sized pieces. Enjoy!

Hi Arnie,

Our latest issue is now online. Here's a quick run-down of the new products and services
that caught our attention this week:

For GBP 3.89, expert evaluation of an item's worth
Life hacks

Customers upload photos and descriptions of their antiques and
Value My Stuff Now responds with a valuation within 48 hours.
Items evaluated include furniture, jewellery, memorabilia & stamps.

Service for sports fans aims to rub in the team rivalry
Entertainment / Telecom & mobile

Using a combination of live or automated phone calls and emails,
RivalGrams will contact a friend who supports the wrong team
and taunt them with songs and plaudits about the right team.

Fair-trade lemonade supports grassroots projects
Food & beverage / Non-profit, social cause

LemonAid is a bottled drink made entirely of a few organic, fair-trade
ingredients. A major share of yearly revenue goes to support
small, locally based grassroots projects in the developing world.

Phone support for seniors, by seniors
Telecom & mobile / Life hacks

Tree Rings provides telephone-based customer service, technical
support, order and claims processing, data entry and other services,
and has offices close to large retirement communities across the US.

Recyclable picnic box with compostable utensils
Food & beverage / Eco & sustainability

Boxsal is an eco-minded spin on the age-old picnic basket. Boxes
cost USD 24.99, are made from recycled materials and contain
compostable trays, bowls, cups, utensils, napkins and a trash bag.

Card rewards consumers for buying locally in Portland
Marketing & advertising / Retail

Supportland has developed a rewards card that works at
50 different Portland-area businesses, all of which are locally
owned. Points earn discounts from any participating store.

Device ionizes tap water for chemical-free cleaning
Eco & sustainability

The Activeion Ionator uses electrolysis and electroporation to help
lift dirt like a magnet, enabling it to be wiped away. Plus it kills more
than 99.9 percent of harmful germs without leaving any residue.

Custom travel guides designed for sharing
Media & publishing / Tourism & travel

Norwegian Stay.com is a social platform where users can create and
share their own custom travel guides using material sourced from
a range of online sources including TripAdvisor and OpenTable.

Post-breakup gifts & support for newly single women
Lifestyle & leisure / Retail

Texas-based Pink Kisses offers heartbroken consumers a selection
of restorative packages that include chocolates, flowers, texts,
emails, virtual gifts, life coaching sessions and photo shoots.

1,500 board games on hand at wifi-free cafe
Food & beverage / Entertainment

Aiming to recreate the offline interaction of days gone by, Toronto's
Snakes & Lattes serves up not just coffee but also 1,500 board
games. The baristas offer instructions and tips to customers.

Bikes built for heavier riders
Transportation / Lifestyle & leisure

Super Sized Cycles make bicycles, electric bikes and tricycles
capable of supporting up to 550 pounds thanks to their steel
frames, wider tires, broad pedals and strong rims and spokes.

Location-based disaster alerts using mobile app
Telecom & mobile / Government

CiviGuard is a mobile app service designed to help governments
deliver emergency information to civilians in an affected area, by
contacting users whose phones are linked to nearby phone towers.

Site helps friends meet up spontaneously
Lifestyle & leisure

Users of San Francisco-based Poig can create and view "pings" with
activity suggestions. Pings can be restricted to Facebook friends,
posted on Facebook and Twitter, and filtered by geographical area.

Shimano kit converts regular bikes into e-bikes
Transportation

The STEPS kit for bicycles is designed to preserve the feeling of a
traditional bike, while adding a 250W electric motor and a
regenerative braking system to help recharge the removable battery.

Online donation platform mimics real-world equivalent
Non-profit, social cause

Nadanu provides graphical interfaces for raising money on websites,
mobile devices and social networks. Donors fill virtual receptacles
with 'coins' and make a single payment on reaching a specified sum.

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